Cooking and vending machine



June 10, 1941. E. L BENEDlcT 2,244,670

COOKING AND VENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 30, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l EDWARD L. BENED/C'.

ATTORNEYS June 10, 1941. E. L. BENEDICT COOKING AND VENDING MACHINE Filed 00T.. 30,' 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvENToR EDWARD ,BENED/CT BY [Zf/M( .p

ATTORNEYS iurter.

PalentedJune 10,"1941 v l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COOKING ANlzvfgglNG MACHINE l Edward L. Benedict, New York, N. Y. ApplicationOctober 30, `1939, Serial No. 301,878 19 Claims. (Cl. 53-5) My invention relates to a dispensing device for cylindrical objects and more speciilcally it relates to a dispensing device for irankfurters in which the frankfurters are cooked and dispensed simultaneously with heated rolls.

'I'he need for sanitary dispensing devices for food productsis well known throughout the art. Although certain machines have been devised for automatically cooking frankfurters they have been impractical from the standpoint of operation and cost. A typical machine is represented by the patent to Zerr, No. 2,142,390, in which the irankfurters are placed upon spits by the operators and the said spits placed in a certain conveying mechanism which by a gear operation rotates the spits and hence the frankiurters and exposes them to the flame.

It is obvious, however, that the operation of spitting the frankiurters is rather dangerous in the course of hasty handling by semi-skilled operators and further the spitting operation causes a penetration and loss of juice of the frank- Because of the necessity for the spitting operation the time consumed makes the operation of this device impractical.

I have devised a novel apparatus for the simultaneous dispensing of cooked irankfurters and heated rolls. My machine is distinguished by the fact that the lfrankiurters are cooked while travelling between a stationary or movable ilexible pad which presses down against the frankfurters that are'on a travelling belt. The travelling belt rotates the frankfurters against the stationary ilexible pad and causes them to be moved down toward the ldispensing end of the machine.

My dispensing machine may be coin operated and suitable coin release means are well known in the art per se. The actuation of themachine is eilected by means, for example, of a lever which is in direct connection with a sprocket which moves' the conveyor belt. Actuation of the lever energizes electrical heating elements disposed adjacent the path of the frankturters and these elements are heated for a suitable period of time after the actuation of the lever to eiect the gradual cooking of the frankiurter. i

ments. The frankiurters do not come in directcontact with the griddle 4at any time but are carried between the travelling belt and stationary flexible pad. l

The frankfurters are automatically fed into the cookingapparatus and dispensed therefrom by the actuation of the lever arm. It is-a feature of my invention that the apparatus is sealed against all dust and dirt and has a high sanitary value. Water is provided for iloating any excess fat which drips from the cooked franki'urters which water also provides a. humid atmosphere for the cooking operation. The rolls which are the complement of the frankfurters are warmed by the indirect eiiect -of the heat from the cooking elements and are dispensed simultaneously with the frankfurters.

It is the object of my invention to provide a novel sanitary dispensing device for cylindrical objects.

' It is another object of my invention to provide a dispensing and cooking device for frankiurters and similar food products that is entirely automatic in its operation.

It is a further object oi my invention to provide anovel apparatus in which Irankfurters and rolls are dispensed in suitable magazines and the trankfurters cooked 'while being conveyed and rotated between a stationary or movable flexible and a travelling conveyor belt.

Itv is a further object of my invention to provide a irankfurter cooking and dispensing apparatus in which a drip pan is provided beneath the irankiurters being cooked with water in said drip pan for providing a humid atmosphere for said cooking operation and for floating the grease.

It is a further object oi' my invention to provide in a irankiurter cooking and ,dispensing machine in which the irankiurters are conveyed on a travelling belt and cooked over a griddle *during their travel, brush means for cleaning said travelling belt and scraper means carried by said travelling belt for cleaning said griddle.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a novel means for automatically introducing frankfurters into said cooking l and dispensing machine and also automatic means for dispensing said cooked frankiurters and heated rolls simultaneously upon actuation of said machine.

It is a further object of my invention to' provide a means for progressively lcooking frankfurters andmaintaining said irankfurters constantly in readiness for serving.

It is a further object oi' my invention to pro-1 videa machine which is sealed against dirt and w 2 dust so as to provide completely sanitary cooking conditions.

These and other objects of my invention will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings now' set forth in detail.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the frankfurter dispensing and cooking apparatus of invention.

Figure 2 represents a side elevation of the apparatus of my invention with the side cover removed. r

Figure 3 represents a front view of the apparatus of my invention with the front cover removed.

Figure 4 represents a side elevation of the apparatus of my invention showing the side opposite to that shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 represents a detail showing ofv the stationary exible pad of my apparatus.

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Figure 6 represents a detail showing of the travelling conveyor belt of my device.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, in Figures 1 and 2, I show as the respective parts of my cooking and dispensing device a magazine I0 in which rolls are disposed and a magazine II in which the frankfurters are disposed. Although I may rely on the force of gravity for bringing the rolls and frankfurters to my dispensing apparatus I'may provide an extra weight or pressure to be superimposed on said rolls and frankfurters tov cause them to be moved through the magazine. I provide suitable closure caps for said frankfurter and said roll magazines.

By means of the hinge I2 a. front cover I3 is provided for my apparatus. Beneath the cover I3 is a layer of insulating material I4 which is adapted to'retain the heat within the apparatus. Beneath the cover I3 is suspended a stationary or movable flexible pad I5 which loosely bears down againstthe frankfurters I1 and maintains them against the travelling conveyor belt I6. The flexible pad I5 is flexible in all directions and may be composed of ring-like elements such a's is shown more specifically inFigure 5. The flexible pad I5 and the conveyor belt I6 are substantially wider than the frankfurters I1. Beneath the conveyor belt I6 is a griddle I9 which is cleaned by the Scrapers I8 carried on the conveyor belt I6. The griddle I9 is heated by the heating elements 20, 2|, 22 and 23. /An insulating plate 24 connes and reflects the heat from the heating elements on to the griddle and back into the cooking area.

The belt I6 is cleaned by the brushes 25 and 26 which scrub the chain I6 as it passes therebetween during its path of travel over the sprockets 21 and 28. A drip pan 29 adapted to carry water is provided to receive the drippings from the cooking frankfurters and to humidify the cooking atmosphere.

A butterfly 30 introduces frankfurters one at a time as required into the cooking chamber where they are carried between the flexible pad I5 and the conveyor belt I6. A cup member 3l which is actuated simultaneously With the other mechanisms of my apparatus by the control arm 32 attached at 21a to the axle 21 of the sprocket dispenses the rolls 40 which are warmed by the'heat from the electric elements 20, 2|, 22 and 23. Al

Window 33 is provided in the front cover I-3 for display or advertising purposes.

At the dispensing end I provide a curved member 34 hinged at 35 for dispensing the frankfurters. This curved element is normally maintained by spring or gravity action in the closed position shown in dotted line. When a frank furter is dispensed from the machine upon operation of the arm 32 the frankfurter causes the cup member 34 to fall to the position indicated in the solid line in Figure 2.

In Figures 3 and 4 I show the means employed for operating the butterfly 30 which introduces the frankfurters into the cooking mechanism and also the dispensing mechanism for dispensing the frankfurters and the rolls. Thus I show a disc member 50 mounted on the shaft 5I of the sprocket 21. The disc member is keyed at 52 to the shaft 5I. The disc 50 carries rigidly aixed thereto a gear member 53 and a catch 54. The catch member 54 engages a ratchet 55 which is freely mounted on the shaft 5I but ixed to the sprocket member 21. v

Upon moving. of the lever arm 32 towards the front of the machine the conveyor belt I6 is actuated by the sprocket 21 through the ratchet 55 and the catch 56 which is carried on the disc 59 to carry the frankfurters down the cooking path.

The lever arm 32 operates against the action of the spring 58 and rotates the disc 59 fixed on the shaft 5I which carries with it the gear 53 and the catch 56. The gear 53 engages and rotates the coacting gear 59 fixedly mounted on the shaft 69 which operates the roll dispensing device 3l.

On release of the lever arm the direction of movement of the shaft 5I is reversed and the gear 53 moves in the opposite direction returning the gear 59 toits original position, and thus in turn returning the roll dispenser 3l to its original position. This movement is furthered by the action of the spring 62. The frankfurter received from between the stationary pad I5 and the conveyor belt I6 travels over the member 63 on to the cup member 34 which is normally held up by the spring 65 and which is depressed by the weight of ghe frankfurter and falls to the dispensing posiion.

K The movement of the travelling belt. I6 also moves the sprocket 28 which is mounted on the shaft 66. Fixed on the shaft 66 ls a disc 61 about which rotates a belt or chain 68 which revolves disc 69 adjacent which is mounted a cam 10 with the raised portions 1I and 12 to strike the extending arm 13 of the butterfly member 30 which thereupon causes a frankfurter to bedelivered to the cooking device and holding the frankfurters in magazine I I in a xed position to be placed on belt I5 by the next rotation ofthe cam.

When the raised por-tion 1I of the cam 10 passes this arm the butteriiy member 30 is returned to its normal position by the spring 15.

In Figure 3 I show a hinge 16 which coacts with a hinge on the side of the dispensing device so that the side may be completely opened for removal of parts or cleaning.

In Figure 5 I show a detail of the stationary exible pad member I5 which it will benoted is composed of rings which are joined together to form the iiexible pad member. By reason of this ring construction the pad is exible in all directions.

It should be noted that, while the pad `I5 has been described as stationary, it may, Where desired, be a movable one mounted on appropriate sprockets geared to or operated by the sprockets of the belt I6 or by the lever arm 32 in any suitable manner. Y Where it is movable, then it may be arranged to move either in a direction opposite to that of belt I6 or in the same direction, but in either case at a. slower speed than said belt so that the component .of moving forces on the frankfurters will be in the proper direction. The yielding pressure on the frankfurter as it passesbetweenbelt il audpad liservestorotate it thus exposing all sides thereof evenly to the heat. A countermotion by the pad il (when it too comprises a moving belt as above noted) will serve to increase the rotation and assure an even cooking. while even a motion in the same direction but at a slower speed will also produce such rotation.

While the rolls l are shown as moved by gravity, suitable movable belts or rollers may be provided therefor particularly toward the bottom of their path. Similarly, suitable movable rollers in addition to belt li may be provided particularly toward the end of the path of travel of the frankfurters to ensure ejection and dispensing thereof.

In Figure 6 I show the conveyor belt I6.

I should like to emphasize the following desirable features of the apparatus of my invention. First, I have provided a complete normally sealed device for storing, cooking and dispensing frankfurters and storing. heating and dispensing rolls. The frankfurters and rolls need not be touched by human hand from the time of manufacture to delivery to the consumer. Both the stored goods and the cooked and heated goods are treated entirely automaticallyY and no manual operations are required exceptfor the actuation of the dispensing device. My device provides for a simultaneous dispensing of cooked frankfunters and rolls, but it is to be understood that the rolls may be warmed and delivered in any manner and my invention carried within its scope as an apparatus for cooking and dispensing frankfurters alone.

A particular feature of importance of my frankfurter cooking device is the means I have provided for handling of cylindrical objects such as frankfurters. My means comprises the stationary or movable flexible pad which presses the frankfurters against a flexible belt which is moved by the actuation of the dispensing control. 'Ihe largest problem in devices of this kind is to provide for the uniform handling of irregular objects. Frankfurters, of course, are generally irregularly curved cylinders. I have found that the stationary pad and travelling belt I employ are most suitable for conveying and rotating these irregular frankfurters.

It is a further feature of my invention that I provide means for delivering frankfurters to the conveying and cooking mechanism which spaces the frankfurters a proper distance apart. As geen in .the drawing of Figure 2, there are nine frankfurters in progress through the machine. When the lever 32 is actuated after being released by deposit of a coin, it rotates the sprocket 21 which drives the chain iB and moves the frankfurters a distance equal to the space between each frankfurter. At the same time a fresh frankfunter is delivered by the butterfly member 30 to the mechanism. Simultaneously the heating elements 2l, 2|, 22 and 2l are turned on and remain heated for a vshort period of time.

The time of heating is controlled by a suitable time clock mechanism thermostat or other suitable timing mechanism. After a short period of time these heating elements are turned oi! so that the cooking is eifected in stages as the device is operated. Since the heat is, therefore, turned on nine times, the frankfurter is heated in nine stages during its travel. The period of time during which the heating elements are turned on is carefully adjusted so that the sum total of the nine stages of heating is exactly right for the proper cooking of the frankfurter.

It is to be understood that various mechanical equlvalents of the devices as shown may be employed for delivering the frankfurters to the conveying and cooking mechanism and for dispensing the frankfurters and rolls therefrom. Further, various methods of cleaning and scraping the travelling belt and griddle may be eml ployed.

As I have shown the entire device should be insulated both to preserve the heat generated therein and also to insure the proper heating of the rolls stored in the apparatus.

A suitable vent may be provided if it is further desirable to remove the cooking vapors or excess heat from the machine.

While in the foregoing I have referred prin cipally to frankfurters, my invention may apply as readily to any cylindrical or even spherical foods including sausages, rolls and other foods which may be rolled.

It is to be understood that I have set forth my invention in a form of apparatus by way of specific example and that various modifications of that apparatus may be made within the spirit of my invention. I intend, therefore, to be limited only by the claims hereto appended.

I claim:

1. A dispensing device for cooking and dispensing frankfurters and simultaneously dispensing rolls which comprises au magazine for frankfurters and a magazine for rolls, means for cooking said frankfurters, means for heating rolls and means for simultaneously dispensing said cooked frankfurters and heated rolls.

2. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters comprising a stationary flexible pad and a travelling belt.

3. A dispensing and cooking device for frank furters which compris means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters comprising a stationary flexible pad and a travelling belt, both said pad and said belt being of greater width than said frankfurter.

4. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters comprising a stationary flexible pad and a travelling belt, both said pad and said belt being of greater width than said frankfurter, means for delivering said frankfurters to said means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters and means for cook-- ing said frankfurters comprising a griddle and means for heating the griddle.

5. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters comprising a stationary flexible pad and a travelling belt, both said pad and said belt being of greater width than said frankfurter,4 means for cooking said frankfurters, a receptacle below said frankfurters for holding water to humidity the atmosphere and for receiving the drippings from said frankfurters.

6. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters comprising a stationary exible pad and a travelling belt, both said pad and said beltsbeing of greater width than said frankfurter, means for cooking said frankfurters comprising a griddle, cleaning means carried by said travelling belt for cleaning said griddle.

7. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters comprising a stationaryviiexible pad and a travelling belt, both, said pad and said belt being of greater width than said frankfurter, means for cooking said frankfurters comprising a griddle, scrapers carried by said travelling belt for cleaning said griddle.

8. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters rcomprising a movable exible pad and a travelling belt said iexible pad being movable at a slower speed than said rbelt, bothl said p-ad and said ybelt being of greater width than said 'frankfurten means for cooking said frankfurters comprising a griddle, means for cleaning said travelling belt.

9. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters comprising a stationary exible pad and a traveling belt, both said pad and said belt being of greater width than said frankfurter, means for cooking said frankfurters comprising a griddle, means for cleaning said travelling belt comprising brushes.

10. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters comprising e. travelling belt and a flexible pad movable at a slower speed than 'said belt and in a direction opposite thereto, both said pad and said belt being of greater width than said frankfurters, means for cooking said frankfurters comprising separate electrical heating means, said heating means being periodically actuated.

11. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters comprising a travelling belt and a exible pad movable at a slower speed than said belt and in the same direction, both said pad and said belt being of greater Width than said frankfurter, means for cooking said frankfurters comprising separate electrical heating means, said heating means being Periodically actuated, an insulated shield behind sald heating elements.` l

12. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters comprising a movable exible pad and a travelling belt said flexible pad travelling at a slower speed than said belt, both said pad and said belt being of gerater width than said frankfurter, means for cooking said frankfurters, a normally `closed dispenser for said cooked frankfurters.

13.` A dispensing and cooking device for frank- !urters which comprises means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters comprising a stationary flexible pad and a travelling belt, both .said pad and said belt being of greater width than said Irankfurters, means for cooking said frankfurters, a normally closed dispenser for said cooked frankfurters, said frankfurter dispenser beingopened by the weight of the frankfurter delivered thereto.

and said belt being of greater width than said frankfurters, means for cooking said ilrankfurters,7 means for actuating the device thereby delivering a frankfurter to the means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters and turning cn the heating means and dispensing a rankfurter.

15. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters comprising a stationary ilexible pad and a travelling belt, both said pad and said belt being of greater width than said frankfurters, means for cooking said frankfurters,`

means for actuating the device thereby delivering a frankfurter to the means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters and turning on the heating means and dispensing a frankfurter and dispensing a roll.

16. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises a magazine for frankfurters-and a magazine f or rolls, means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters-comprising stationary exible metal pad and a travelling ilexible metal belt, both said pad and said travelling belt being of greater width than said frankfurters, means for delivering said frankfurters to said means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters, means comprising a griddle for cooking said frankfurters, means for heating the griddle, a receptacle below said frankfurters for holding water to `humidify the atmosphere and for receiving the drippings from said frankfurters, a dispenser for said cooked frankfurters and means for dispensing a roll upon actuation of the device.

17. Adispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises a magazine for frankfurters and a magazine for rolls, means for conveying and rotatingsaid frankfurters comprising stationary ilexible metal pad and a travelling flexible metal belt, both said pad and said travelling belt being of greater width than said frankfurters, means for delivering said frankfurters individually to said means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters, means for cooking said frankfurters and catching the drippings therefrom comprising a griddle, means for heating the griddle; means for cleaning said griddle comprising scraper-s carried .by said travelling belt and means for cleaning said travelling belt comprising brushes.

18. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises means for cooking said frankfurters comprising separate electrical heating means, said heating means being periodically actuated, said heating meansvbeing alternately turned on and oi so that the total period of heating of the frankfurters is suiiicient to cookthem as they travel through the device.

19. A dispensing and cooking device for frankfurters which comprises a magazine for frankfurters, means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters in spaced relation to each other and means for cooking said frankfurters, means for actuating the device, said means acting to move the frankfurters a certain distance and to apply heat to the frankfurters for a certain period of time, said frankfurters moving in spaced stages through said means for conveying and rotating said frankfurters, the total of heat applied being su'icient to cook properly said frankfurters over their path of travel in the device.

EDWARD L. BENEDICT. 

